Please be advised that due to changes relating to Covid-19, the Report + Support team are unable to offer face-to-face meetings until further notice. Existing reports will still be monitored; and we shall aim to respond to new reports as soon as we can.

If you are in immediate danger or are seriously injured, you can call 999 (or 112 from a mobile). If you’re in an emergency situation and need police help, but can’t speak call 999 wait for the operator then press 55 the operator will then transfer the call to the relevant police force as an emergency. For non-emergency calls, dial 101.

Information on other kinds of support can be found on the Support page. Answers to questions relating to Coronavirus (COVID-19) can be found on the University’s dedicated webpages: https://www.dur.ac.uk/coronavirus/

I have been accused of something

It can be very distressing if you have been accused of committing an unwanted behaviour.

The University will not make assumptions on the relative merits of a report. No party will be considered ‘at fault’ until a report has been reviewed and/or investigated. All those involved will be treated fairly and offered advice and support. Find out more by reading our policy and procedures:

We have a team of trained and experienced practitioners who are available all year round to registered students via self-referral and to staff members via a referral from Occupational Health. Our counsellors can offer time-limited individual sessions to help you develop insight into your thoughts and feelings, and help build the skills to manage your wellbeing and make changes in your life.

Chaplains are an integral part of the welfare provision and pastoral support that the University offers both to staff and students. Chaplains at Durham are either based in Colleges where their care is for all members of College, or they work across the University where the Chaplain usually represents a particular denomination or faith community (though they are still available to everyone).

The college support office can be approached by students for general guidance on what to do if they have been accused of committing a hate incident. The college support officers will be able to help, particularly if the hate incident has occurred within the college, as they may have college-specific procedures that they can follow.

Nightline is a student-run, non-directive, non-advisory listening service open every night of term between 21:00 and 07:00. It enables students to talk to another student confidentially. Their contact number (0191 334 6444) along with other emergency contacts can be found at the back of Durham University campus cards.

Internal Support for Staff

Line managers

A staff member’s line manager has a neutral role to listen and to suggest a possible way forward. They can also advise you of procedures, both informal and formal and provide you with a copy of the policy and procedures.

The Occupational Health Service is part of the University’s Human Resources team. Occupational health advisers maintain an autonomous role within the University and provide an accessible, confidential service for all staff.

They have a confidential and anonymous helpline for anyone concerned about their violence and/or abuse towards a partner or ex-partner. They can be contacted at Tel: 0808 802 4040 (open Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm). A web chat service is available Tuesdays and Thursdays 10.00am to 4.00pm.

They can provide support and information if you are having a difficult time, are struggling to cope or if you are worried about someone else. They have a team of volunteers who are available to be contacted any time through their Helpline: 116 123. This number is free to call from both landlines and mobiles, including pay-as-you-go mobiles. You can also email them through: jo@samaritans.org.